Sri Lanka, Oct. 19 -- The Israeli army launched airstrikes in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday despite a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, local media said.

Israel's public broadcaster KAN said that the strikes were staged following an exchange of fire with Hamas.

Channel 12 claimed that the attack came after a military vehicle was targeted by Hamas fighters.

Senior Hamas member Izzat al-Rishq denied the Israeli claim, stressing his group's commitment to the ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, Rishq accused Israel of "fabricating flimsy pretexts to justify its crimes" in the Gaza Strip.

A ceasefire and hostage swap agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas last week, based on a phased plan presented by US President Dona...